Announcing the Next Artistic Producer of the Paprika Festival

Posted on August 01, 2024 by Julia Dickson

August 1, 2024

Toronto, ON

The Paprika Theatre Festival Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Lin as Paprika’s new Artistic Producer. Amanda joins current General Manager, Julia Dickson, in co-leading Paprika for its 24th year of programming and beyond.

The hiring process was conducted by Paprika’s Board of Directors and a hiring committee, who share: “After an extremely competitive hiring process, we are thrilled to be welcoming the brilliant Amanda Lin into the role of Paprika's Artistic Producer. In a field of over 150 talented candidates, Amanda stood out for her deep understanding of Paprika's mission and values, her commitment to generosity, care and community building, her thoughtful articulation of the challenges facing emerging artists today, and her solutions-oriented vision for the future of Paprika. Paprika is in great hands with Amanda Lin and General Manager Julia Dickson, who will be working together in a co-leadership model. We are so excited to support this next chapter of Paprika under their joint leadership.”

After working with Paprika as the Associate Festival Producer for the 23/24 Festival, Amanda rejoined the organization in her new position in July, receiving transition support and training from outgoing Artistic Producer, Keshia Palm. 

Amanda shares: “Like many other artists in this city, I received many of my first opportunities from Paprika — as an actor, a facilitator, producer, and now as an emerging arts leader. I’m beyond excited to contribute to Paprika’s long history of supporting emerging artists and forging a path towards a more equitable industry."

AMANDA LIN

Amanda Lin, an East Asian woman with short black hair and bangs, smiles at the camera with her head tilted slightly to the left. She is wearing a patterned black dress and is standing in front of a green leafy background.

Amanda Lin 林美智 (she/her) is a queer Taiwanese-Canadian multi-disciplinary artist with the goal of using art and storytelling to cultivate compassionate and dynamic communities. She is a member of the Labour in the Arts Collective where she co-hosts free community events for artsworkers. She has worked with companies such as Cahoots Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, Single Thread Theatre, Theatre Direct, Why Not Theatre, and Young People’s Theatre. Her first full-length play, Between a Wok and a Hot Pot premiered with Cahoots Theatre in January 2023 and received 6 Dora nominations in the Independent category, including Outstanding Performance for Amanda and Outstanding Production. Amanda enjoys lying on the floor.